Single-use applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator comprising an elongated rod-shaped pad of porous material. The pad has a conical-shaped pointed end. A fluid containing frangible capsule is embedded in the pad, a fluidproof tubular envelope surrounds the pad and has an open end of a truncated conical shape. The pointed end of the pad extends beyond the conical open end of the envelope.

United States Patent [72] Inventor GilbertSchwartzman 20 Wilmot Circle,Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 [21] AppLNo. 660,733 [22] Filed Aug. 15, 1967 [45]Patented Oct. 19,1971

[54] SINGLE-USE APPLICATOR 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 401/132, 401/196, 128/269 51 mac! Amines g9 [50]FieldofSearch 401/132, 134,196,133

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,227 4/1917 Schulz401/132 2,642,065 6/1953 Negri... 401/134 3,152,352 10/1964 Kosik401/132 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,053 1/1966 Great Britain 401/132 1,021,9683/1966 Great Britain. 401/132 153,904 7/1938 Austria... 401/1331,130,737 10/1956 France 401/133 Primary Examiner-Robert W. MichellAtlorney- Kenneth S. Goldfarb SINGLE-USE APPLICATOR This inventionrelates to an applicator and more particularly to a device of this typewhich is essentially adapted for a single use.

Briefly, the concept of this invention involves the use of a frangiblecapsule in a pad of cellulose fiber which is encased in a fiuidproofenvelope. The envelope has a tapered opening end through which a conicalpointed end of the pad extends. Upon breaking of the capsule, fluid inthe capsule will saturate the pad and flow out of the open end forapplication onto the desired surface by the pointed end of the pad.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a singleuseapplicator of a convenient pencil shape and adapted for use in applyingmedications, pigments, paint, ink, cosmetics, shoe polish or the likeonto any desired surface in a convenient manner and wherein even verythin lines can be formed as desired.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of asingle-use applicator having unlimited shelf life yet which is soinexpensive to manufacture as to enable such to be disposed ofeconomically after a single use.

A further object of the present invention resides in the utilization ofa frangible capsule disposed in a pad of cellulose fiber material whichis encased in a suitable fluidtight envelope designed so that once thecapsule has been broken, the fluid can pass only out of an open end in aparticular direction and which envelope and cellulose fiber pad aredesigned to protect the capsule against accidental breaking yet whichwill readily enable the breaking of the frangible capsule when such isdesired.

Further objects and features of this invention reside in the provisionof a single-use applicator that is simple in construction, light inweight, capable of being made in a convenient size for ready grasping bythe hand of a user with means for protecting the fingers of the useragainst accidental staining, and which is adapted for wide distributionand use.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of thisinvention, which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this single-use applicator, a preferredembodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by wayof example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a single-use applicatorconstructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the plane ofline 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the manner in which thefrangible capsule is broken;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the applicator in use; and,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various viewsreference numeral generally designates an applicator having three mainparts, an envelope 12, a pad 14, and a frangible capsule 16.

The capsule 16 is preferably formed of glass and is fluidand airtightand contains a suitable fluid 18 such as perfume, cosmetics, pigmentedmaterial, such as shoe polish, paint, ink, or the like. The capsule isprovided with anchoring stems 20 and 22 of reduced cross-sectional areafor enabling the convenient insertion of the capsule 16 in the pad 14.

The pad 14 is formed of a cellulose fiber material and may be providedwith a longitudinal slit 24 therein for facilitating the insertion ofthe capsule in the pad M. The pad 14 is of a generallycylindrical-shaped elongated rod having a conical end 26 forming apointed tip 28.

The envelope 12 is formed of any convenient synthetic plastic materialwhich is fluidtight. Such materials are preferably somewhat flexible yetwhen used in conjunction with the pad 14 will be capable of retainingits rodlike shape even after having been bent enough to break thecapsule as shown in FIG. 3. The envelope 12 includes a tubular cylindrical casing 30 having a closed end 32 andhaving an o n end 34 throughWhlCh the conical end 26 of'the pad protru es. The

open end 34 is of a truncated conical shape for forming a convenientfinger grip for the user much as in the manner of a pencil or pen.

The applicator 10 is designed to be carried in a handbag of a lady,disposed in a suitable pocket of a garment of any person, such as aworkman, physician, technician or the like. The fluid 18 is preventedfrom evaporating because of its airtight and fluidtight encasement inthe capsule 16 so that the device has elongated shelf life. When it isnecessary or desirable to use the applicator, the entire device is bentin the manner as shown in FIG. 3 allowing the fluid 18 to escape fromthe capsule l6 and saturate the pad 14. Holding the applicator in themanner shown in FIG. 4 will permit capillary and gravity feed of thefluid onto the pointed end 28 for application of the fluid onto anysuitable surface 40. After use, the entire applicator may be disposedof.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein arelatively large capsule 116 containing the fluid is employed. Thiscapsule 116 is similar to the capsule 16 but larger both in diameter andin length. The capsule 16 is provided with an anchoring stem 122 at thefront end thereof and seats within the pad 14 of the assembly 110. Theassembly includes a cylindrical casing having a completely opened endthrough which the pointed nose 128 of the pad extends. The closed end132 may be integrally formed with the casing 130 or bonded thereto andmay be convex in shape. The larger capsule 116 affords a larger supplyof fluid. The end 132 may be attached by heat sealing. The use of theplane open end may permit the pad 114 to be cut to afford a brush-typeeffectand the casing 130 may be successfully cut back during use if suchis found necessary.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising an elongated cylindrical rodshaped pad ofporous material, said pad having a longitudinal slit therein extendingthe full length thereof and having a conical-shaped pointed end, a fluidcontaining frangible glass capsule embedded in said pad and spaced fromboth ends of said pad extending beyond said capsule, said capsule havinganchoring stems at the opposite ends thereof of reduced crosssectionalarea, a fluid-proof tubular envelope of plastic material having anintegral closed end and an open end, said open end being of a truncatedconical shape conforming closely to the contour of said pointed end,said pad being of cellulose fiber and being disposed in said envelopeand tightly embraced thereby, said conical-shaped pointed end of saidpad protruding from said open end with said truncated conical-shapedopen end forming a protective finger grasp for the user.

1. An applicator comprising an elongated cylindrical rod-shaped pad ofporous material, said pad having a longitudinal slit therein extendingthe full length thereof and having a conicalshaped pointed end, a fluidcontaining frangible glass capsule embedded in said pad and spaced fromboth ends of said pad extending beyond said capsule, said capsule havinganchoring stems at the opposite ends thereof of reduced cross-sectionalarea, a fluid-proof tubular envelope of plastic material having anintegral closed end and an open end, said open end being of a truncatedconical shape conforming closely to the contour of said pointed end,said pad being of cellulose fiber and being disposed in said envelopeand tightly embraced thereby, said conicalshaped pointed end of said padprotruding from said open end with said truncated conical-shaped openend forming a protective finger grasp for the user.